Comparative studies of morphological changes and interleukin concentration in subretinal fluid of patients with retinal detachment.

Morphological evaluation was performed with the light and scanning electron microscope of subretinal fluids (SRF) collected during operations from 36 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Duration of the disease was 3 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 10 weeks and 6 months. The immunoenzymatic method was used to establish the presence of interleukins IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in SRF. It was revealed that the differentiation of the morphological picture of SRF depended on the duration of detachment. Most cell-rich SRF came from the 3-week detachment. Mononuclear cells were predominant in that period (macrophages, lymphocytes). In the later period (over 8 weeks) a decrease in the number of cells and a change in cellular composition were noted in the fluids examined, while after six months of detachment normal cellular elements were absent. In all time intervals analyzed, no significant increase in IL-1beta, IL-2 and IL-4 was noted in SRF. However, a significant quantity of IL-6 was found, particularly in the 5- to 8-week detachment. The authors assume that the presence of a large number of inflow cells in 'fresh' detachment can trigger a variety of inflammation-based immunological processes which stimulate the development of vitreoretinal proliferation.